Watering the lawn seems like a straightforward task, but in Florida’s summer climate, it’s anything but simple.
With soaring temperatures, increased rainfall, and high humidity, even well-intentioned watering practices can cause lasting harm. During summer, overwatering and underwatering are two of the most common and costly lawn care dangers, as they compromise a lawn’s health and resilience.
Both extremes can weaken turf, invite disease, and create conditions that demand intensive lawn maintenance and restoration later on. Understanding how water interacts with Florida’s soils and climate is essential for anyone serious about sustainable, long-term lawn care. This article explores these risks, signs, and smarter strategies for watering wisely this summer to avoid such lawn care dangers.
Overwatering: When Too Much of a Good Thing Goes Bad
Florida’s intense summer heat makes many residents feel like their lawn needs extra water every day, but overwatering can suffocate grass.
When soil remains constantly saturated, roots are deprived of oxygen, leading to shallow root systems and increased vulnerability to disease. Overwatering encourages the growth of fungal infections like brown patch and gray leaf spot, which thrive in warm, damp conditions.
Excess moisture also washes away essential nutrients, making your lawn appear pale and weak despite frequent watering. Proper lawn care includes adjusting your irrigation schedule seasonally.
Most Florida lawns only need 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall. Using a rain gauge or smart irrigation controller can help avoid accidental overwatering.
Underwatering: Slow, Silent Damage in Disguise
There are also homeowners in Florida who assume rainstorms are enough. However, your lawn can suffer from drought stress during stretches between storms, especially with sandy soil that drains quickly.
Signs of underwatering include bluish-gray grass, curled blades, and visible footprints that linger on the lawn. Without timely watering, grass can dry out completely, leading to dead patches that require more aggressive yard cleanup or even sod installation.
Underwatered lawns are also more prone to weed invasion and insect activity, especially chinch bugs, which thrive in dry St. Augustine grass. To prevent this, your lawn maintenance routine should include deep, infrequent watering, about twice per week in the early morning, to encourage deep root growth and long-term resilience.
Understanding how much water your lawn needs and when isn’t always easy; that’s where experienced yard services of Bestway Lawn Care come in.
With years of experience dealing with overwatering and underwatering cases, we can evaluate your lawn’s condition and provide a lawn maintenance routine that is optimized for Florida’s unpredictable summer climate.
Want to get a quote for our services? Contact us now.
